Jewish-Arab Center for Peace

Education

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The failure of Israeli law enforcement authorities to put a stop to the attacks is a cause for worry among Israeli Arabs that the hate crimes are condoned by the upper echelons of the Israeli government, said Mohammed Darawshe, co-director of the Abraham Fund Initiatives, an Israeli nonprofit that promotes coexistence and equality among Israel's Jewish and Arab citizens.He said that while Arab Israelis do appreciate government efforts to integrate them into the economy, that's offset by the fallout from attacks.

"It's saying you are good enough for the economy, but you are not good enough for social and political integration," he said.

"It is remarkable that citizens on both sides are so clearly speaking up against extremism and for a concrete solution to the conflict even during these trying times," said OneVoice Mideast Director Mohammad Darawshe.

Mohammad Darawshe, a Palestinian Citizen of Israel, is a foremost spokesperson in the Middle East on Arab-Israeli relations.A highly acclaimed and respected expert in Arab-Israeli relations, Darawshe is a leading proponent for conflict-resolution, a political strategist for the United Arab List Party of the Knesset and a foreign policy consultant for governments working with the Middle-East.A leading proponent for Arab-Israeli peace, Darawshe is recognized both on a grassroots and diplomatic level.

Darawshe has traveled to more than 50 countries to provide first-hand experience of Arab/Israeli peace relations to governments, business, media, non-governmental organizations, religious and women's groups, teachers and students.Darawshe has taken the initiative to promote Arab-Israeli co-existence throughout his 20 year career, as Founder of the Young Leadership Forum, Consultant for Legacy International and currently as Director of Public Relations for Givat Haviva and the Arab-Israeli Peace Institute, an international education institute for Middle East peace that was recently awarded the UNESCO peace prize.From 1992-2000, Darawshe served as Director-General of the United Arab List in the Knesset.As the key political strategist for the party, Darawshe set an exemplary track record in gaining popular votes and consecutively doubling their number of seats.

Mr. Darawshe has provided expert testimony and consulting to the U.S. State Department, U.S. Congress Foreign Relations Committee, Egyptian Government and other high-level diplomatic entities.

Mr. Darawshe's remarkable efforts will be featured in a BBC and National Geographic special in the Spring of 2003.He is a regular commentator for Good Morning Israel and the Israeli-Arab National Radio.He is frequently featured in the international press, such as Le Monde, Wall Street Journal and Financial Times.His editorials are often featured in Al-Ahali, Kul El Arab, Alsinara, Aldiar and Panorama Arabic Newspapers.

A 27th generation Arab from the town of Iksal, 20 miles north of Nazareth, Darawshe comes from a lineage of civic leaders in the Arab community, with a history of peaceful relations with their Jewish neighbors.Darawshe is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew and English.